Bangalore, Aug 3 - Ignoring opposition by pro-Kannada groups, the Karnataka government Monday gave the go-ahead for the unveiling of the statue of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar here Aug 9, 18 years after it was installed.

Reciprocating the gesture, Tamil Nadu government will install and unveil the statue of revolutionary Kannada poet Sarvajna in Chennai Aug 13.

Thiruvalluvar was a celebrated Tamil poet who is believed to have lived between 2nd century BC to the 8th century AD. He wrote the Thirukkural, a work on ethics in Tamil literature.

Sarvajna, believed to belong to 18th century, is known for his 'Tripadis' (three-line poems) on life, religion, beliefs and problems of daily living.

Protesting the Karnataka government's decision taken Monday at an all-party meeting here, pro-Kannada organisations have called for Bangalore shutdown Aug 9.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who is holidaying in Bangalore, is expected to participate in the function to unveil the statue of Thiruvalluvar, installed and lying covered near Halasur lake in Bangalore's central business district.

The pro-Kannada groups have stalled the unveiling of the statue on the ground that Tamil Nadu has not been fair to Karnataka over the sharing of Cauvery river waters and its Hogennakkal drinking water project.